I was cleaning mainsprings from an HMV motor, circa 1925, and noticed this stamping on the ends of both. Was this common on both HMV and Victor springs?
Bob
Also, the hardened grease was the worst I've ever encountered, even after soaking in solvent. I used a putty knife, wire brush on electric drill, and steel wool to hasten removal. It looked like steel filings coming off!Interesting stamping on HMV mainsprings
- barnettrp21122
- Victor IV
- Posts: 1601
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 4:19 pm
- Personal Text: "Did you ever stop to think that pleasure is a duty?" (Victor sales pamphlet)
Interesting stamping on HMV mainsprings
"Comparison is the thief of joy" Theodore Roosevelt
His Master's Voice Automatic 1A Exponential Gramophone Demonstration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi70G1Rzqpo
His Master's Voice Automatic 1A Exponential Gramophone Demonstration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi70G1Rzqpo
- poodling around
- Victor V
- Posts: 2171
- Joined: Tue Feb 20, 2018 11:52 am
Re: Interesting stamping on HMV mainsprings
barnettrp21122 wrote:I was cleaning mainsprings from an HMV motor, circa 1925, and noticed this stamping on the ends of both. Was this common on both HMV and Victor springs?Also, the hardened grease was the worst I've ever encountered, even after soaking in solvent. I used a putty knife, wire brush on electric drill, and steel wool to hasten removal. It looked like steel filings coming off!
Bob
I thought that this is very interesting. I have no idea, but, does the dogs head look a bit odd / different ? Probably just me but it looks a bit like a ram or something ?
- barnettrp21122
- Victor IV
- Posts: 1601
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 4:19 pm
- Personal Text: "Did you ever stop to think that pleasure is a duty?" (Victor sales pamphlet)
Re: Interesting stamping on HMV mainsprings
Here's a closer look at the stamping. Nipper almost looks more like a happy pig!poodling around wrote:barnettrp21122 wrote:I was cleaning mainsprings from an HMV motor, circa 1925, and noticed this stamping on the ends of both. Was this common on both HMV and Victor springs?Also, the hardened grease was the worst I've ever encountered, even after soaking in solvent. I used a putty knife, wire brush on electric drill, and steel wool to hasten removal. It looked like steel filings coming off!
Bob
I thought that this is very interesting. I have no idea, but, does the dogs head look a bit odd / different ? Probably just me but it looks a bit like a ram or something ?
The whole impression is only a half-inch wide, so not much room for detail.
"Comparison is the thief of joy" Theodore Roosevelt
His Master's Voice Automatic 1A Exponential Gramophone Demonstration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi70G1Rzqpo
His Master's Voice Automatic 1A Exponential Gramophone Demonstration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi70G1Rzqpo
- poodling around
- Victor V
- Posts: 2171
- Joined: Tue Feb 20, 2018 11:52 am
Re: Interesting stamping on HMV mainsprings
barnettrp21122 wrote:Here's a closer look at the stamping. Nipper almost looks more like a happy pig!poodling around wrote:barnettrp21122 wrote:I was cleaning mainsprings from an HMV motor, circa 1925, and noticed this stamping on the ends of both. Was this common on both HMV and Victor springs?Also, the hardened grease was the worst I've ever encountered, even after soaking in solvent. I used a putty knife, wire brush on electric drill, and steel wool to hasten removal. It looked like steel filings coming off!
Bob
I thought that this is very interesting. I have no idea, but, does the dogs head look a bit odd / different ? Probably just me but it looks a bit like a ram or something ?
The whole impression is only a half-inch wide, so not much room for detail.
Wow!!! I have never heard of anything like this. I hope someone knows something.
-
- Victor VI
- Posts: 3179
- Joined: Fri Oct 06, 2017 11:39 am
- Personal Text: I've got both kinds of music--classical & rag-time.
- Location: South Carolina
Re: Interesting stamping on HMV mainsprings
Hi Barnett,
I have rebuilt a 1907 or 1908 Victor III, a 1914 Victrola XIV, and a 1930 Victrola 2-65 portable. All these machines were totally original stock.
Both the Victor III and the XIV had the mainsprings stamped! The machines were 100% unmolested, just worn out and damaged. The springs were broken but the stampings were there.
I do not remember on the 2-65. The mainspring in it was in five pieces, count 'em, five, and I was too busy tossing spring chips out and marveling at its ruined state to bother. Should have paid attention but I was sixteen and stupid.
I hope we can get some more pictures of it! They're really neat and I think the Victor stamping on the springs is kind of a nifty little tradition from back in the day.
I have rebuilt a 1907 or 1908 Victor III, a 1914 Victrola XIV, and a 1930 Victrola 2-65 portable. All these machines were totally original stock.
Both the Victor III and the XIV had the mainsprings stamped! The machines were 100% unmolested, just worn out and damaged. The springs were broken but the stampings were there.
I do not remember on the 2-65. The mainspring in it was in five pieces, count 'em, five, and I was too busy tossing spring chips out and marveling at its ruined state to bother. Should have paid attention but I was sixteen and stupid.
I hope we can get some more pictures of it! They're really neat and I think the Victor stamping on the springs is kind of a nifty little tradition from back in the day.
- AZ*
- Victor IV
- Posts: 1143
- Joined: Thu Jan 15, 2009 8:51 pm
- Location: USA
Re: Interesting stamping on HMV mainsprings
Bob,
I've overhauled several HMV machines of this vintage (HMV 511, 32, 163, 192 etc.), and yes, I noticed Nipper stamped on the end of the spring. Although I didn't recall that he was quite so rotund. And as you stated, the hardened grease was the worst I've encountered. It was petrified and I could only remove it by scraping with a blade. It was nearly impervious to the usual solvents.
I've overhauled several HMV machines of this vintage (HMV 511, 32, 163, 192 etc.), and yes, I noticed Nipper stamped on the end of the spring. Although I didn't recall that he was quite so rotund. And as you stated, the hardened grease was the worst I've encountered. It was petrified and I could only remove it by scraping with a blade. It was nearly impervious to the usual solvents.
Best regards ... AZ*
- emgcr
- Victor IV
- Posts: 1088
- Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2012 9:57 am
- Location: Hampshire, England.
- Contact:
Re: Interesting stamping on HMV mainsprings
The competition also stamped their springs !
- barnettrp21122
- Victor IV
- Posts: 1601
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 4:19 pm
- Personal Text: "Did you ever stop to think that pleasure is a duty?" (Victor sales pamphlet)
Re: Interesting stamping on HMV mainsprings
Interesting spring end! I recently cleaned a set of Garrard springs without looking for the stamping. I'll trust mine have them without going back to look! Thanks for the pic!emgcr wrote:The competition also stamped their springs !
Bob
"Comparison is the thief of joy" Theodore Roosevelt
His Master's Voice Automatic 1A Exponential Gramophone Demonstration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi70G1Rzqpo
His Master's Voice Automatic 1A Exponential Gramophone Demonstration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi70G1Rzqpo